Air Purifier Vs Humidifier – Which One is Right for You?

People don’t usually pay attention to the type of air they’re breathing until something goes wrong. Most people use air purifiers; many others use air humidifiers while some own both of them. Both of these appliances are made to improve the air quality in indoor surroundings. This makes it easier to mistake one with another and complicated to understand which option would better match your needs.

First, let us understand each of these devices’ essential functions to understand the qualities that make them the similar or sets them apart. Here in this article, we will explain how these devices work and whether you must use a humidifier or an air purifier in different situations.

What is an Air Purifier, and How it Works?

Air purifiers are devices that suck everything that’s floating in the air, whether it is dust or dander, and purify the air. It is beneficial for people who have respiratory problems such as asthma, sneezing, and other allergies. It is highly recommended, especially for asthma people, because of its enormous benefits, such as more comfortable breathing and less need for treatment.

Air purifiers work by using the electric fans to suck the air in and then it pushes the by the filters to give out clean and fresh air. Although there are many types of air purifiers, the cleaners available in the market are mostly fan-based. These use the replaceable filter sections to suck the particles.

Pros:

• Air purifiers can clean air dust-free with an accuracy of up to 99.9%.
• It helps eliminate all kinds of particles and dander that cause allergies and few other impurities
• It helps to protect furnishings, thus reducing the maintenance and housekeeping
• Air purifiers might also protect us from hazards of fire caused by the heating types of equipment.
• Air purifiers come with a set standard, also known as the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) calculates the device’s efficiency.

Cons:

• It requires high maintenance.
• Air purifiers are good at eliminating dust, but they are not good at getting rid of foul odors from the surrounding.
• Some air purifiers tend to release a hefty amount of ions in the air when purifying, and even ozone gas, which is very harmful.
• It is complicated for air purifiers to separate the air from gases and odors.

What is a Humidifier, and How it Works?

Did you ever woke up and it felt like your throat or nose is so dry and stuffed with some sand? Well, that’s because of the dry air that affected your nasal passage and respiratory system. And this is when you should get a humidifier. A humidifier helps your throat, and air passages stay moist. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that it doesn’t clean the air.

Instead, it adds moisture to the atmosphere that lessens the irritation caused by a dry environment. Humidifiers are very beneficial to people suffering from sinus issues and related respiratory problems caused by dry air.

There are three types of humidifiers available in the market. They are:

Cool mist

This uses various methods, such as an ultrasonic device to change the water into the vapor.

Warm mist

In warm mist method, the electrical energy is converted into heat energy to generate steam and spread through the room.

Electromechanical

In this method, devices such as electric motors and blades are used to stir the water and create the mist.

Pros:

• Humidifiers make your home’s environment less conducive to flu germs.
• Humidifiers make your home feel like other seasons, thus providing you with seasonal comfort.
• It protects the furnishing by putting some moisture needed in the environment
• It helps your plants grow
• Humidifiers save energy and money

Cons:

• Humidifiers don’t clean the air
• They attract certain varieties of bacteria and fungus
• Humidifiers produce a lot of noise
• Occasionally when humidifiers are not self-regulated, they produce excess amounts of moist air.

Air Purifiers Vs Humidifier – Comparison Table

CRITERIA	AIR PURIFIER	HUMIDIFIER
Application	It uses filters to catch and remove the contaminants in the air	It adds moisture to the air and smoothens the environment caused by dry conditions
Benefits	It is very beneficial for people suffering from asthma and allergies and people who want some clean air	It is beneficial for people with asthma, and one’s irritated respiratory tracts caused by dry air
Removes	Smoke, Dust particles, Dander, Bacteria, and Allergens	Dry Air
Suggested Humidity	N/A	30% to 50%

Air Purifiers or Humidifier: Which is Useful to Whom?

The answer to this question depends on the different circumstances.

You should opt for an air purifier if:

• You have allergies, asthma, or any other respiratory conditions related to inhaling contaminated air.
• You want a cleaner, more sterilized home environment.
• You wish to decrease the number of allergens from your home’s air.
• You want to get rid of foul odors of cooking, smoke, or pets.
• You want to get a night of better sleep with less throat and lung irritation.
• You want to decrease the amount of dust that collects indoors.
• You want to reduce the toxic substances from the surrounding.

You should opt for a humidifier if:

• You live in very dry climate regions.
• You like to increase the level of moisture in your home’s air.
• You have a very dry skin, eyes, or hair during the winter season.
• You want some relief from all respiratory problems that are caused to dry air.
• You have an excessive snoring problem at night that is caused by the surrounding dry air.

Can I use Both an Air Purifier and a Humidifier Together?

Yes, it’s okay to use a humidifier and air purifier in the same room. You can also use them simultaneously. An Air purifier and a humidifier look like they function the same, but they are different devices serving different purposes. An air purifier removes pollutants from the air while humidifiers are made to elevate the moisture levels for more comfort.

However, it is recommended to place a humidifier at a distance. Because if both the devices are placed at a close range, the humidifier might damp the air purifier’s filter and clog. The reason is constant moisture going into the unit, which can make the purifier ineffective.